US 10,241,456 B1Granted

Adaptively switching a print mode from duplex to simplex

AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.

InventorAllan A. Hren

Life of this patent

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Abstract

System and method for adaptively switching a print mode from duplex to simplex. In one embodiment, a processor monitors memory to detect a duplex page followed by multiple contiguous simplex pages. The processor estimates a first time for the duplex sheet corresponding to the duplex page to traverse a duplex media path for switching from a duplex print mode to a simplex print mode. The processor also estimates a second time for simplex sheets corresponding to the multiple contiguous simplex pages to traverse the simplex media path in the simplex print mode, and estimates a third time for the simplex sheets to traverse the duplex media path in the duplex print mode. If the third time is less than a sum of the first time and the second time, the processor modifies the instructions to print the multiple contiguous simplex pages in the duplex print mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A print system comprising:

an interface configured to receive a plurality of pages and instructions to print the plurality of pages;
memory configured to store the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing;
and
a print controller configured to monitor the memory to detect a duplex page followed by multiple contiguous simplex pages, to estimate a first time for a duplex sheet corresponding to the duplex page to traverse a duplex media path of the print system, thereby clearing the duplex media path and allowing for the print system to switch from a duplex print mode to a simplex print mode, to estimate a second time for simplex sheets corresponding to the multiple contiguous simplex pages to traverse a simplex media path of the print system in the simplex print mode, to estimate a third time for the simplex sheets to traverse the duplex media path of the print system in the duplex print mode, to modify the instructions to print the multiple contiguous simplex pages in the duplex print mode if the third time is less than a sum of the first time and the second time, and to output the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing.

1 more element

A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of pages and instructions to print the plurality of pages;
storing the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing in memory;
monitoring the memory to detect a duplex page followed by multiple contiguous simplex pages;
estimating a first time for a duplex sheet corresponding to the duplex page to traverse a duplex media path of a print system, thereby clearing the duplex media path and allowing for the print system to switch from a duplex print mode to a simplex print mode;
estimating a second time for simplex sheets corresponding to the multiple contiguous simplex pages to traverse a simplex media path of the print system in the simplex print mode;
estimating a third time for the simplex sheets to traverse the duplex media path of the print system in the duplex print mode;
modifying the instructions to print the multiple contiguous simplex pages in the duplex print mode if the third time is less than a sum of the first time and the second time;
and
outputting the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing.

6 more elements

A tangible computer readable medium including programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of pages and instructions to print the plurality of pages;
storing the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing in memory;
monitoring the memory to detect a duplex page followed by multiple contiguous simplex pages;
estimating a first time for a duplex sheet corresponding to the duplex page to traverse a duplex media path of a print system, thereby clearing the duplex media path and allowing for the print system to switch from a duplex print mode to a simplex print mode;
estimating a second time for simplex sheets corresponding to the multiple contiguous simplex pages to traverse a simplex media path of the print system in the simplex print mode;
estimating a third time for the simplex sheets to traverse the duplex media path of the print system in the duplex print mode;
modifying the instructions to print the multiple contiguous simplex pages in the duplex print mode if the third time is less than a sum of the first time and the second time;
and
outputting the plurality of pages and the instructions for printing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/716,032Filed 26 Sep 2017
Published: US 2019/0094777 A128 Mar 2019
Granted: 26 Mar 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G03G 15/238
Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material: using more than one reusable electrographic recording member,…
B41J 3/60
Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed: for printing on both faces of…
B41J 13/0045
Control of the transport of the copy material: concerning sheet refeed sections of automatic paper handling systems, e.g. intermediate stackers
G03G 15/231
Specially adapted for copying both sides of an original or for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material: arrangements for…